PPD in strategic alliance with WHISCON

North Carolina, USA-based PPD Inc says it has expanded its post-approval drug safety expertise in epidemiology and risk management through a  strategic alliance with World Health Information Science Consultants  (WHISCON), an internationally-recognized epidemiology and drug-safety  organization based in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

As part of the accord, the two firms will jointly market their services  to biomedical companies, insurers and government agencies worldwide.  WHISCON will draw upon PPD's broad experience in large drug studies,  both pre- and post-approval. In turn, PPD will leverage WHISCON's  client relationships and global safety expertise in conducting  epidemiology, risk management, pharmacovigilance and observational and  database studies.

"There are risks associated with every product, and companies need  mechanisms for drug safety surveillance," said Alexander Walker, a  medical researcher who co-founded WHISCON. Fred Eshelman, chief  executive officer of PPD, added: "epidemiology is playing a larger, more  important role in understanding and evaluating risks related to drug  safety. Our agreement with WHISCON will enhance our ability to help  clients identify and manage the benefits and risks of their marketed  products."